The winner of four straight in wire-to-wire fashion, Silver Max has looked a
league apart from his rivals. The son of Badge of Silver, who began his streak
in a Gulfstream Park allowance/optional claimer in March, has since romped by 5
1/2 lengths in the Grade 3 Transylvania at Keeneland, by 2 3/4 lengths in the
Grade 2 American Turf on Kentucky Oaks Day and by two lengths in the May 26
Arlington Classic.

One-time Kentucky Derby hopeful Mark Valeski, who scored a breakthrough win
in the Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes on May 12, will be out for the rest of the year
with a knee chip, trainer Larry Jones announced Monday.

Trainer Steve Asmussen said Monday that he has "mixed emotions" about running
the "two best horses" in his stable against an imposing field in the Grade 1,
$400,000 Stephen Foster Handicap, but he expects to have a double-barreled
threat in the starting gate for Saturday night's race at Churchill Downs.